This unique and attractive open access textbook combines the beauty of macroscopic pictures of plant stems with the corresponding colorfully stained images of anatomical micro-structures. In contrast to most botanical textbooks, it presents all the stem characteristics as photographs and shows the microscopic reality. The amount of text is reduced to a minimum, and the scientific information is highlighted with short legends and labeled photographs, allowing readers to focus on the pictures to easily understand how the anatomical structures relate to genetic, ecological, decomposition and technical influences. It includes a chapter devoted to simple anatomical preparation techniques, and further chapters showing the cell content, cell walls, meristematic tissues and stem structures of all major taxonomic units and morphological growth forms in various ecological and climatic regions from subarctic to equatorial latitudes, as well as structures of fossil, subfossil and technically altered wood. This textbook appeals to students and researchers in the fields of plant anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, dendrochronology, history, plant pathology, and evolutionary biology as well as to technologists.

Stems, of various sizes and shapes, are involved in most of the organic processes and interactions of plants, ranging from support, transport, and storage to development and protection. The stem itself is a crucially important intermediary: it links above- and below ground organs-connecting roots to leaves. An international team of leading researchers vividly illustrate that stems are more than pipes, more than simple connecting and supporting structures; rather stems are critical, anatomically distinct structures of enormous variability. It is, to an unappreciated extent, this variability that underpins both the diversity and the success of plants in myriad ecosystems. Plant Stems will be a valuable resource on form/function relationships for researchers and graduate-level students in ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, development, genetics, agricultural sciences, and horticulture as they unravel the mechanisms and processes that allow organisms and ecosystems to function. - Syntheses of structural, physiological, and ecological functions of stems - Multiple viewpoints on how stem structure relates to performance - Highlights of major areas of plant biology long neglected

This atlas gives a unique assemblage of microscopic slides of wood anatomy and of the respective species in nature and demonstrates the reaction of stem anatomy to environments in which plants form woody stems. It provides insight into the evolution of wood, to the variation of wood anatomy in response to climate and disturbances, and it gives an introduction to the methodology used to study wood. Special attention has been given to the unique feature of secondary growth. In color throughout and with more than 700 both beautiful and instructive illustrations, the wide-ranging scientific content of this book makes it both attractive and unique.

This book provides a multifaceted look into the world of stem cells and explains the similarities and differences between plant and human stem cells. It explores the intersection between animals and plants and explains their cooperative role in bioengineering studies. The book treats both theoretical and practical aspects of stem cell research. It covers the advantages and limitations of many common applications related to stem cells: their sources, categories, engineering of these cells, reprogramming of their functions, and their role as novel cellular therapeutic approach. Written by experts in the field, the book focuses on aspects of stem cells ranging from expansion-propagation to metabolic reprogramming. It introduces the emergence of cancer stem cells and different modalities in targeted cancer stem cell therapies. It is a valuable source of fresh information for academics and researchers, examining molecular mechanisms of animal and plant stem cell regulation and their usage for therapeutic applications. Students at all levels of medical or engineering backgrounds will enjoy the case studies that illustrate and explain mechanisms, interactions, targeted effects, and multimodal therapeutic approaches. Academics, researchers, and professionals who want to expand their knowledge in this field will find this book an exceptional resource.

What is a stem cell? We have a basic working definition, but the way we observe a stem cell function in a dish may not represent how it functions in a living organism. Only this is clear: Stem cells are the engine room of multicelluar organisms—both plants and animals. However, controversies, breakthroughs, and frustration continue to swirl in eternal storms through this rapidly moving area of research. But what does the average person make of all this, and how can an interested scholar probe this vast sea of information? The Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research provides a clear understanding of the basic concepts in stem cell biology and addresses the politics, ethics, and challenges currently facing the field. While stem cells are exciting alone, they are also clearly fueling the traditional areas of developmental biology and the field of regenerative medicine. These two volumes present more than 320 articles that explore major topics related to the emerging science of stem cell research and therapy. Key Features · Describes the different types of stem cells that have been reported so far and, where possible, tries to explain for each age, tissue, and species what is known about the biology of the cells and their history · Captures a strong sense of stem cell biology as it stands today and provides the reader with a reference manual to probe the mysteries of the field · Considers various religious, legal, and political perspectives · Includes selected reprints of major journal articles that pertain to the milestones achieved in stem cell research · Elucidates stem cell terminology for the nonscientist. Key Themes · Biology · Clinical Trials · Countries · Diseases · Ethics · History and Technology · Industry · Institutions · Legal · Organizations · People · Politics · Religion · States With contributions from scholars and institutional experts in the stem cell and social sciences, this Encyclopedia provides a primarily nonscientific resource to understanding the complexities of stem cell research for academic and public libraries.

Ever wonder how plants reach toward the sun? Or how water gets from the roots to the leaves? A plant’s stem is like a highway, transporting water and food where it’s needed. Dig in to discover how stems work to support a plant’s survival.

Stems carry out vital jobs for all flowering plants, they hold plants up and carry water and food around each plant. This book provides readers with a complete and comprehensive understanding of the role of stems, their structure and how they are brilliantly designed to do these jobs. Clear diagrams, engaging text, and stunning photographs are used to explain the huge variation between stems from blades of grass to tree trunks, how stems work, what happens inside a stem, how stems form, why bendy stems and stiff stems can give plants different advantages, plants with underground stems that store food, stems that grow sideways and why, and our relationship with stems. A wide range of examples present readers with stems they will be familiar with plus spectacular and unusual examples from around the world. These demonstrate what stems have in common and some incredible stem adaptations that allow plants to survive in different conditions and habitats. Two simple experiments help stimulate thought, reinforce learning, and bring the concepts to life.